Government Accountability Office

Official Website: https://www.gao.gov/

The Government Accountability Office gathers information to help Congress determine how effectively executive branch agencies are doing their jobs.

Forms & Documents

Browse all Government Accountability Office government forms

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Articles & Guides

1 guide

Government Accountability Office (GAO): The U.S. Congress "Watchdog"

The Congress of the United States created the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) in 1921. The original idea was to equip the legislative branch with the ability to monitor the expenditures of the federal government to ensure that taxpayer money was being spent as intended. This mission preoccupied the GAO for the next 50 years.

Contact Information & Office Locations

All 6 contact points

General information about recommendations

Phone numbers:
  • (202) 512-6100
Emails:
  • apqa@gao.gov

Government Accountability Office

Address:
441 G St., NW
Washington, DC 20548

Phone numbers:
  • (202) 512-3000
Emails:
  • contact@gao.gov

Strategic Planning & External Liaison

Phone numbers:
  • (202) 512-4707
Emails:
  • spel@gao.gov

Technical or practical questions regarding Principles of Federal Appropriations Law (the Red Book)

Phone numbers:
  • (202) 512-9535
Emails:
  • redbook@gao.gov

Technical or practical questions regarding Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government (the Green Book)

Phone numbers:
  • (202) 512-9535
Emails:
  • greenbook@gao.gov.

Technical or practical questions regarding the Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (the Yellow Book)

Phone numbers:
  • (202) 512-9535
Emails:
  • yellowbook@gao.gov

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